EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, warned on Monday in Jerusalem about further escalation in the region due to Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebanon.
Kallas stated that Israel has the right to defend itself against "terrorist attacks" from Hamas or Hezbollah, but military operations must be "proportionate". She warned that "Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebanon risk leading to further escalation."
According to Kallas, attacks on Syria are "unnecessary as Syria is not attacking Israel at the moment, which fuels radicalisation directed against Israel."
Since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December, Israel has conducted dozens of attacks on military sites of the previous regime in Syria. Israel aims to prevent the weaponry from falling into the hands of the new authorities, whom Israel labels as "jihadists". The new regime in Damascus condemns "the aggression, which is part of an Israeli campaign against the Syrian people and the country’s stability."
Ceasefires violated
Despite the ceasefire with Hezbollah that began in late November, Israel continues to carry out attacks on Lebanon. The Israeli military states these attacks target infrastructure or members of the Islamist movement, which is supported by Iran.
Kallas also called for the resumption of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. "We are witnessing a dangerous escalation, causing unbearable uncertainty for the hostages and their families, and horror and death for the Palestinian people," she said at a press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Restarting negotiations is "the only viable way to stop the suffering on all sides".
Kallas met with families of Israeli hostages on Monday morning. She condemned Hamas' violence again, calling for the release of all hostages and the resumption of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Following her visit to Jerusalem, Kallas will travel to the West Bank to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
